confesh

this may or may not be all I've been looking at for the last 24 hours...

snow-cation 2010

SNOW SNOW SNOW

chelsea cuddled up looking like a wee babe.Chelsea's cute parents who came to town JUST in time for the fun!

here is Anna, Brady and Jordy moments after a lovely meal of white chili
and the best cornbread this world has ever tasted... thanks, B.

Just look at that beautiful snow!!

some delicious treats

In case that wasn't enough, there is some footage of Chelsea and me in the front yard hula hooping in the snow, of course.

Cowl-er me happy!

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL!

Sweet Melody Aylestock made this lovely cowl and it is too fabulous for words. Sure, I may need a few lessons on how *best* to sport it, but I am already in love.

Here... check out her wares!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/melodyjoy1983

go. shop. nestle.

best quote of the night thus far:

"chelsea, you're the Rudy of hula hooping..." chris song

the best is yet to come.

Last night was just a normal night on Laudy. We four ladies sat around and solved the problems of the world. Obviously.

We agreed that there is something down right THRILLING about knowing the huge things of life are still to come. Not one of us has missed out on a single (no pun intended) thing over the last few years. We've sucked the marrow out of life. We've gone back to school, gone on last minute trips, stayed out dancing 'til the wee hours, eaten fro yo for dinner, done karaoke, thrown parties, worked hard and generally taken life by the horns.

And the cool part?

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

The falling in love, getting married (maybe), having a baby (or 12... chelsea), buying a house, getting promoted, fun vacations.... They are still on my (and our) horizon!

I was always the child who preferred to eat the bad stuff on my plate so I could enjoy the good stuff. I woke up on Saturday morning in order to get my chores done before Saved By the Bell came on.. so I could enjoy it the most. I'd always rather save the good stuff.

My life, as a whole, seems to be no exception. And y'all.... if THIS isn't even the best.... I may need to be sedated later in life.

I'm such a happy girl.

"just kidding..."

sometimes I feel as awkward as homegirl.

alert the press.

At lunch, I not only developed a taste for the "Memphis" taco at Taco Mamacita.

I developed a HUGE CRUSH on my too-handsome-for-words waiter named Nate.

If I had the nerve, I would have thought of something slightly cooler to do that FIST PUMP said hottie when he asked "did you go to highschool around here?" I told him I'd grown up in SC and used this as an opp to see how old he is. When he said he graduated in '97, I heard friends throwing rice in the distance. If only I knew how to be cool around men.

Now... to get the nerve to go back and introduce myself for real. or something.

WHAT DO I DO? This is (a) bigger than the time I had a crush on my chiropractor and (b) the first time I've had a crush on a boy in a long time. YES, I'm 30 and get crushes.

help.

ADDENDUM: if you, handsome man, happen upon this post. I am of course joking about the marriage rice. kind of.

additionally...

... it is POURING SNOW and I didn't wear a coat.

WHAT?!

How could I have missed John Mayer and Taylor Swift at Cabana last night???

What good is living in the Music City if I can't stay one step ahead of Us Weekly?

sigh.

a weekend in pictures.

Friday Night, I went to see Hannah's new house on the East side... appropriately dubbed, "The Blantation", as she will soon be a Blanton. John and Hannah are the best. As you can see below, I also happened upon her childhood picture taken with her sister. Yes, it IS highlighting their collection of trolls. Remember those? It was just too good to pass up. :)

Saturday morning, I got my hoop walk on with Kelly and Mary Claire. Nearly 4 miles later, I found my biggest issue is how to avoid really sore shoulders! The arms... they can't rest by my side. They can't rest above my head because I have to balance. They just... linger. And I have an amazing amount of Ibuprofen pumping through my veins to show for it.

Saturday afternoon, I met up with Leslie, Whitney and Abby for some pedis. What is more luxurious than that, I ask you? I fell asleep in the chair for the first time.

After a quick nap to recoop from my hooping, I went and met up with Coco at a mexican joint. She was enjoying a lovely marg here. I enjoyed a Diet Coke. She wins. Claire met us just shortly after I took the pic... wish I had gotten all three of us. (ps. what a hottie! That's a mother of two, people...) Love the haircut, shoog.

Last, but certainly not least, is the GREAT find I had today at Southeastern Salvage. I have long been snooping for a tall table and lamp combo for beside my bed. Convinced that this is all I need to actually begin reading again. (and by reading, I mostly mean to stop *only* watching TV. Baby steps.)

Today was the day, friends. Here is a pic of my bed and new table/lamp. The camera setting for this little number is "candlelight" and I daresay it is magnif.


I'm tickled pink with my purch (thanks to help from Sarah June and picture texting) and can hardly wait to snuggle in for bed tonight and read a bit of "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer. That is.. until "South of Broad" by Pat Conroy arrives.

Tonight, in lieu of church, I'll be attending the "Civil Wars" show at 3rd and Lindsley with Anna. I can hardly wait!!

puddin' pop

see elizabeth?

she's the cutest.

today there was a group of us singing our way through "Heart in Motion" at work. obviously.

So, we get to "Galileo" and she admits to thinking the phrase, "you are starlight, I'm Galileo" was "you are starlight, I've got a ladle."

I defy you to try and not love her.

sweet tooth.

what is this? A food blog?

well, truth is... my new awesome camera (from mama and diddy) comes with a too-good-to-be-true "food setting" and I am powerless against it.

Just look how I found Anna tonight:

but seriously... this is all Sweet Cece's fault. They were closed and we were forced to go to Publix to find the makings for our own creations. I may or may not have gravitated to frozen pizza while Anna created this wondertreat.

Don't make me tell you about the time my fam and I went to Sweet Cece's over Thanksgiving and dad got nothing but a cup of toppings...

mid week mayhem

last night was a really nice little beacon in my week.

I started the day with a rainy commute to work (which took roughly twice as long as it should), so I was looking for little highlights.

Promptly at 6, I headed to meet Catherine at Jackson's. So fun to catch up with her always. I then headed home for Family Dinner where we slammed some Grown Up Sloppy Joes, veggie slaw and roasted sweet potatoes. SO YUMMY! Delaney is the inventor of the recipe and anything she makes is just too good to miss.

We, of course, transitioned into a bit of hooping to round out the evening.

What a happy evening, huh?

now presenting...sister Mary Margaret!

Coco and Jimmy have done it again. These people are responsible for two of the most precious children this world has ever seen. James and now, Mary Margaret.

she's the cutest. Even when she's fired up about having to drink a bottle. She's so precious that it is impossible to not be drawn to kissing those little cheeks. You can actually *hear* angels singing softly in the distance when she opens her eyes.

seriously. I get far too excited about the fun we'll have. I love the ARMISTEADS!

heartbreak.

I don't know what to do with my heartbreak for Haiti.

It just feels like things will never be right for them again. So many precious lives lost. Any normal destroyed.

Here are some pictures that are important... haunting/disturbing but important. I just had no idea how widespread the devastation was. If you are up to it (seriously... only if you're ready), have a look.

Now, to find the ways I can get involved...

“THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKEN. HEARTED; HE RESCUES THOSE WHO ARE. CRUSHED IN SPIRIT.” (PSALM 34:18)

To relax is to eat.

y'all.

My weekend was delish.

I started with a delightful meal post-work (on Friday with a crew of amazing girls) at a lovely new Mexican eatery in Nashville called "Taco Mamacita!" It was outstanding. It was also the first time I had to stare my 2010 challenge in the face...no alcohol. The margs looked so good. BUT. I feel so good and feel quite accomplished. I love a challenge, after all. Alas, the evening ended by scooting around the dance floor at Roberts...always the right choice.

Saturday morning, I started my day (at 10:30am) at Frothy Monkey with Candace. Just look at the cute face I sat across from:
and just get a LOAD of the gorgeous mint mocha I got! It is just plain art.


So, tonight I came home from a great evening at City Church to an incredible meal on the table. (Side note: I *must* marry a man who also loves to cook because there is just something about coming home to a hot meal!) Jordan had fashioned a beef stew with polenta and rosemary. WHOA. it was incredible. Just look:
Our home has shared countless meals around this table and it never gets old.

Here's to another week! I hope you all have a wonderful day or honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will do so at work, but I hope you all have the day off to honor an amazing man and hero.

love!

Just another day at the office...

Daniel and Trey are still racing their hair growth via Whiskerino. Today, we all got in on it! :)

TGIF!!

THIS made my day.

sarah, you and nealon made my whole day/month/year.

love you so much!

today at work has me like this:

just overheard at work.

"I live in an iphone and boyfriend house as a single blackberry girl"

faux-ducation on technology

"Just say, 'Oh, I just use Atom'..."

- Whit educating me on how to sound knowledgeable in the face of my RSS ignorance


(best part is that I even screwed this up the first go round and called it apple.. i would.)

Zappos!

Today, something cool happened.

I received my first online shoe purchase in the mail. Here's what made it unique beyond that fact.

1. I ordered from Zappos.

2. They consider themselves a Customer Service company who happens to sell shoes.

3. I love that.
4. That is what we do at Emma. Just substitute stylish email stationery.
5. I got free shipping for no reason!
6. It showed up next day!
7. They are EXACTLY what I wanted!!! Look how pretty! (thanks, Kris for spotting them!!)

I am a satisfied customer!

Oh NO they di'ent...

for realz...

WHAT are they thinking?

Conan yesterday. Conan today. Conan tomorrow.

can't. stop. laughing.

click HERE.

what up with that....

my given name.

thanks, kris! :) xo

Recipe for Peanut Butter Popcorn. Make it... trust me.

PIONEER PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN

1 Dutch oven of popped popcorn 1 c. white Karo syrup 1 c. white sugar 1 c. crunchy peanut butter 2 tsp. vanilla Mix Karo syrup and sugar together and bring to a boil. Add the peanut butter and cook until well dissolved. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir well. Pour mixture over popped popcorn and stir until popcorn is thoroughly coated. IF there are any leftovers, store in an airtight container. Serves a crowd.

weekend wrap up

so, the good news is that i figured out WHY I wasn't able to upload any of my videos. The bad news is that I learned the hard way and none of the videos I shot before this weekend will show up.

But thats OK. Here's the snow we got in Nash on Friday. Just look:

(yes, that's a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hat on Chelsea... circa 89 or something)

Lots more fell after I shot this, but I was too busy snuggling up on the blow-up air mattress (watching movies) to capture it.



So, the best part of the weekend was simply the plethora of laziness...enjoyed side by side with Adrienne and Bill (and Chelsea of course). We watched a LOT of Lost, so we'll be locke-ed (get it??) and loaded for the premiere! Thank goodness Jesus took the wheel and we're not going to have to defer to the State of the Union after all. Let's face it... more Americans care about TV than the State of the Union anyway. Seriously. It is both funny and really sad.

(here's adrienne and chelsea in onesies (obv) and anna as she finished a walk.)

There's no way to cover all the ground since Christmas, but suffice it to say, life is good. I'm feeling better and better from my rogue illness. Work is good. Home is great. I'm happy.

Also, this blog has the potench to become my very own video hosting site. Look out.

Saddle.

I'm back in it, that is.

trying to figure out how to upload a video entry I fashioned.

Let the anticipation grip you...